Clasp for articles of jewelry



July 29, 1930. G. H. WATERHOUSE CLASP FOR ARTICLES OF JEWELRY 1 Filed April 19, 1929 Patented July 29, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF! GEORGE n. \wATERnoUsE, or rnovrnnncn, RHODE ISLAND CLASP roza ARTICLES or JEWELRY 1% Application filed. A ril 19,

This invention: relates to an improved clasp or fastening-device for connecting the ends of necklaces,"neclnchains, bracelets or like articles of jewelry i One object ofthe invention is to provide a simple and efiicient-device for the purpose vide a device ofthe type specified which is:

specified constitutedby a minimum number of parts and economical to manufacture.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a clasp which will eifect a more secure joinder' of the ends of'the necklacachain or V neat and ornamental in appearance and free from projectionsor sharp edges on its surface liable to catch'in the garments of the wearer or to scratch injure the flesh.

' of the clasp in open relation to permit dis Further objects of the invention are set forth in the "following specification which describes two forms of construction ofthe device, by waycof example, as illustrated by the accompany drawings. In the drawings:

l is aside view of theimproved clasp showing its. parts in closed relation connecting the ends of a chain; I

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the part connection of the ends of the chain;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional detailed view of the clasp taken on line 38 of Fig. 1; Fig. i is a perspective view showing the parts of the clasp in disassembled relation;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of the clasp with its parts illustrated in closed relation;

Fig. 6 is a similar View showing the clasp opened to disconnect the ends of the chain;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the modified form of clasp shown in Figs. 5 and 6 taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 5; and r Fig. 8 is aperspective view showing the 1929. Serial No. 356,440.

two parts of the modified form of clasp in disassembled relation.

The present improved clasp comprises only two parts, a member adapted for permanent connection with one .end .of the chain, necklace or the like and having a hook for attachment with the opposite endofthe chain, and a tubular sleeve adapted to slide on said memher to close its hook to secure the ends of the chain in coupled relation.

In the embodiment of the inventionil'lustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 the hook-member 2 is constructed from a flat strip of metal such as platinum, gold, silver or plated stock, and the slide 3 is constituted by a suitable length ofcylindricaltubing of the same material. The hook-member 2 is of substantially rec tangular shape in side viewhaving a rounded portion or car 4; at one end pierced with a hole 5 for receiving the end link of the chain," necklace or bracelet indicated at 6. The opposite endof the hook-member 2 also has a rounded contour and is provided with a rev entrant slot? forming a beak-like hook 8.

l The sleeve orslide 3, as before indicated,

1 is formed from cylindrical tubing cut to a length slightly greater than that of the rectangular portion of I the hook-member 2. The internal diameter of the. tubing is slight- 1y less than the width of the hook-member 2 and, as shown inFigs. 3 and 4:, the marginal edges 9 of the latter may be slightly rounded or conveXed to conform to the; interior of the. sleeve 3 so that the latter fits snugly thereagainst.

In assembling the parts of the clasp the tubular slide 3 is slid onto the hook-member 2 whereby the tube will be slightly stretched or distorted with its major diameter extend ing in th'eplane of the member 2 and its minor diameter right-angles to this plane. In other words, the tube is stretched slightly across its aids to cause it to encompass the hook-member 2; whereby the rounded edges 9" of the latter will eXerta frictional pressure against the interior of the tube to resist its sliding movement thereon.

The sleeve or slide 3 is slid lognitudinally of the member 2 to carry it into the position illustrated in Fig. 2 whereby to uncover the opening 7 of the hook 8. With the parts in this relation the end-link 12 of the chain or other article may be coupled with the hook 8 to attach the parts of the chain in connected relation. The sleeve 3 is then slid to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, to cause its terminal portion to overhang the end of the hook 8 to close its opening "I. It has been stated that due to the novel method of assembling the sleeve or slide 3 on the hook-member 2 frictional engagement isprovided between the parts to resist the sliding movement of the sleeve. Therefore, when the sleeve 3 is slid into the position illustrated in Fig. 1 it cannot be accidcntly displaced to open'the hook 8. The device thus functions as a safety lock to prevent unwarranted disconnection of the ends of the chain, necklace or other article. v

For some purposes, particularly with fiat link chains, itis desirable to have the clasp conform somewhat to the shape of the links of the chain and Figs. 5 to 8 illustrate an embodiment of the device having a fiat sided I slide 15 enclosing the hook-member 16. Re-

ferring particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, the sleeve or slide 15 isconstructed from flat-tubing, being substantially rectangular in crosssection to adapt it toengage snugly around the flat sides of the hook-member 16. In order to effect a frictional binding action between the slide and the hook-member the member 16 isprovided with a spring-finger 18 which may be formed by slitting the stock with a fine saw or other instrument. The spring-finger 18 is sprung outwardly from the main portionof the hook-member 16 as illustrated in Fig. 8 so that it must be com pressed to allow the slide 15 to be slid thereon. The spring finger 18 is thus caused to eX- ert frictional resistance to the sliding movement of the sleeve 15 whereby to hold it in either opened or closed relation with respect to the hook 19 at the end of the member 16. In use, the device shown in Figs. 5 to 8 operates in the same manner as previously explained in connection with the first described form of construction. I

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an extremely simple, yet eflicient, device for the purpose specified, being composed of but two elements. The hook-member of the clasp may be punched out or struck up from sheet-stock and the sliding sleeve constructed from a length of tubing such as commercially supplied to the trade in various forms and sizes.

No special fitting is required in assembling the parts of the device so that the work may be accomplished by unskilled labor. It will also be observed that there are no pivot-pins, rivets, springs or other such mechanical elements employed in the improved device. The simplified form of construction of the clasp not only makes for more economical cost of """T'El manufacture, but also provides against damage or derangement of the parts when the device-is put into use.

Heretofore in the art it has been the usual practice to employ swiveled hooks with spring-latches or so-called jump-rings having telescoping portions with compression springs for operating the same, the pivoted latches or other spring-actuated parts serving toclose the openings to the hook or clasp. l/Vith the present improved construction no spring elements are employed and therefore the clasp is rendered much stronger and more durable, while providing a greater degree of security in its use for clasping the ends of bracelets, necklaces or the like.

The present improved clasp is particularly well adapted for use on expensive necklaces, neck-chains, link bracelets or the like since it provides a safer and more secure connection between theparts, being practically proof againstaccidental release whereby to insure against the loss of valuable jewelry.

As another feature of improvement the present clasp presents a smooth contour with-, out sharp projections or parts liable tocatch in the garments of the wearer or to injure the delicate flesh on which it is worn. The improved device also presents a highly ornamental and artistic appearance appropriate to high grade articles of jewelry on which it may be used.

WVhile the present specification and drawings illustrate a preferredform of construction of the device, slight changes may be made in the shape and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

An improved clasp for articles of jewelry or the like comprising a relatively fiat elongated member having an eye at one end and a hook at the opposite end, and a tubular slide enclosing said memberv with its walls extendl ed diametrically by the insertion of the member thereinto whereby to provide a frictional engagement therebetween, said slide slidablel on the hook-member to close the mouth of the hook. In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

GEORGE H. WATERHOUSE. 

